Winners by Pool Type (2026)
- Best Overwater Infinity Pool (Ages 16+): Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort (Edge of Waikiki)
- Best Waikiki Waterslides for Families: Hilton Hawaiian Village (Paradise Pool waterslide + lava tube slide, beside the 10,000-sq-ft Super Pool) & Sheraton / Royal Hawaiian (Helumoa Playground 70-ft slide)
- Best Trendy Rooftop Infinity Pool & Bar: ʻAlohilani Resort (Swell Pool & Bar) & Prince Waikiki (16+ infinity pool beside the Hinana Bar)
- Best Quiet Luxury Infinity Pools: The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki (Two 8th-floor infinity pools) & Halekulani (Iconic heated orchid mosaic pool)
- Best Full Water Park & Lazy River on Oahu: Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa (Ko Olina)
Compare Live Waikiki Hotel Rates & Availability
Because land in Waikiki is some of the most expensive real estate on earth, many Honolulu hotels squeeze a small, shaded 3rd-floor plunge pool between concrete parking structures. If spending afternoons by a world-class pool or watching your kids race down waterslides is central to your vacation, focus exclusively on the resorts below.
| Hotel | Area | Pool | Price level | Resort fee | Booking.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort | Central Waikiki Beachfront | Edge Infinity Pool (ages 16+) + Helumoa Playground family pool with 70-ft waterslide | Upscale | $52 + 18.71% tax per night ($61.73/night total) | Check prices |
| Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort | Waikiki West (Kahanamoku Beach) | 4 open pools (10,000-sq-ft Super Pool, Paradise Pool slides, Tapa Pool, 18+ Kalia Pool) + 5-acre saltwater lagoon; Ali'i Tower private pool closed with the tower until spring 2027 | Upscale | $55 + 18.71% tax per night ($65.29/night total) | Check prices |
| The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki | Central Waikiki Beachfront | Quiet Malulani beachfront pool + shared access to Helumoa Playground waterslide pool | Luxury | $52 + 18.71% tax per night ($61.73/night total) | Check prices |
| ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach | Waikiki (Across from Kuhio Beach) | 5th-floor Swell saltwater infinity pool + kids' shallow pool & cabanas | Upscale | $54 + 18.71% tax per night ($64.10/night total) | Check prices |
| Prince Waikiki | Waikiki West / Ala Wai Yacht Harbor | 5th-floor deck: adults-only (16+) infinity pool + saltwater pool & hot tub, cabanas & daybeds, Hinana Bar (pools 7 AM–10 PM) | Upscale | $45 + 18.71% tax per night ($53.42/night total) | Check prices |
| The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach | Waikiki Luxury Row (Kalaimoku / Kuhio) | Two 8th-floor infinity pools: all-ages heated Resort Pool (Diamond Head Tower) and 18+ Adult Pool with 2 hot tubs ('Ewa Tower), private cabanas, 6 AM-10 PM | Luxury | None ($0 mandatory resort fee) | Check prices |
| Halekulani | Waikiki Beachfront (Gray's Beach) | Iconic heated oceanfront orchid mosaic pool (1.2 million glass tiles) | Luxury | None ($0 mandatory resort fee) | Check prices |
| Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa | Ko Olina (West Oahu — Lagoon 1) | 7-acre Waikolohe Valley water park (lazy river, 2 volcanic waterslides, Rainbow Reef snorkel lagoon, infinity pool) | Luxury | None ($0 mandatory resort fee) | Check prices |
1. The Only Two Resorts in Waikiki With Real Waterslides
If your kids want waterslides inside Waikiki proper, you have exactly two resort complexes to choose from:
- Hilton Hawaiian Village (Paradise Pool): The 5,000-sq-ft Paradise Pool holds the resort’s waterslide, and the resort’s pool page lists two slide sessions every day: the Outdoor Slide from 11 AM to 2 PM and the Lava Tube Slide from 2 to 5 PM. A short walk away is the beachfront 10,000-sq-ft Super Pool, with a shallow Keiki Pool right next to it, steps from the 5-acre saltwater lagoon (the Hyatt Regency’s pool is far smaller; see Hilton Hawaiian Village vs Hyatt Regency Waikiki).
- Sheraton Waikiki & The Royal Hawaiian (Helumoa Playground): Guests at either Marriott property can use the Helumoa Playground, which includes a 70-foot waterslide, freshwater pools, an interactive fountain and ocean-facing whirlpools. Royal Hawaiian guests check in at their own Malulani pool or the concierge desk before heading over.
2. Best Ocean-View Infinity Pools for Couples
For couples, Sheraton’s Edge Infinity Pool puts you right above the breaking waves of Waikiki Beach. If you prefer a calmer, less crowded luxury infinity experience with private cabanas and zero resort fees, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach offers two separate 8th-floor infinity pools (an adults-only Ewa Tower pool and a Diamond Head Tower resort pool), while Prince Waikiki’s adults-only infinity edge frames golden-hour sailboats in the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. We rank every ocean-view edge pool in our infinity pool guide, and cabana prices are covered in our cabanas and daybeds guide.
Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort
- Famous Edge oceanfront infinity pool
- Helumoa Playground family waterslide
- Newly renovated rooms
High-energy central Waikiki oceanfront resort famous for its overwater Edge Infinity Pool and the Helumoa Playground family pool.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
- True beachfront on widest sand
- 5 pools + waterslides + lagoon
- 5 distinct hotel towers
Waikiki’s largest 22-acre true beachfront resort village with five towers, five pools, a calm saltwater lagoon and Friday fireworks.
ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
- 280,000-gallon lobby Oceanarium
- Swell rooftop saltwater infinity pool
- Two Chef Morimoto restaurants
Sleek modern resort across from Kuhio Beach featuring a three-story lobby Oceanarium, a vibrant infinity pool deck and two restaurants by Iron Chef Morimoto.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
- NO Resort Fee ($0/night)
- 100% ocean-facing studios & 1-to-4 bedroom suites
- Miele kitchens + in-room washer/dryer in every unit
Twin all-ocean-view luxury residential towers where every studio and multi-bedroom suite includes a gourmet kitchen, in-unit washer/dryer and zero resort fees.
Prince Waikiki
- 100% of rooms have floor-to-ceiling ocean views
- 5th-floor adults-only infinity pool over the Yacht Harbor
- 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar and Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo
The only hotel in Waikiki where 100% of guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling oceanfront views, paired with a spectacular harborfront infinity pool.
Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa
- NO Resort Fee ($0/night)
- 7-acre water park with lazy river & volcanic slides
- Private Rainbow Reef saltwater snorkel lagoon
Disney’s Hawaiian masterpiece on Ko Olina Lagoon 1, boasting Oahu’s best lazy river and waterslide complex, a private snorkel reef and zero resort fees.
Pool Rules by Resort: Age Limits, Opening Hours & Who Gets In
Resort photos never show the fine print, yet in Waikiki the fine print decides whether your 14-year-old can sit with you at the infinity edge, or whether a toddler is welcome in the hot tub. The table collects what each resort publishes on its own pool or policy page as of November 2026. Where a hotel does not publish a detail, we say so rather than guess.
| Resort | Pools open to guests | Age & supervision rules | Published hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Hawaiian Village | Super Pool (10,000 sq ft) with Keiki Pool; Paradise Pool (5,000 sq ft, waterslide); Tapa Pool; Kalia Adult Pool (4th floor). The Aliʻi pool is closed with its tower until spring 2027. | Children 12 and under need adult supervision at all times; Kalia pool is 18+ only; swim diapers required for babies and toddlers | Super Pool 8 AM–9 PM; Paradise Pool 9 AM–6 PM; Tapa Pool 9 AM–9 PM; Kalia 9 AM–8 PM; Outdoor Slide 11 AM–2 PM; Lava Tube Slide 2–5 PM |
| Sheraton Waikiki | Edge of Waikiki infinity pool; Helumoa Playground (70-ft waterslide) | Edge pool: ages 16 and up; Helumoa: all ages | Helumoa whirlpools open until 10 PM (per the Royal Hawaiian FAQ); other hours not listed on the pages we could access |
| The Royal Hawaiian | Malulani pool + shared Helumoa Playground at the Sheraton | None published | Malulani jacuzzi 7 AM–6 PM in winter, 7 AM–7 PM in summer |
| ʻAlohilani Resort | 5th-floor Swell saltwater infinity pool, hot tub, shallow kids’ pool | Infinity pool and hot tub open to adults and to children 5–12 with an accompanying adult; no lifeguard on duty | Not published; the policy page warns hours can change for events or weather |
| Prince Waikiki | Adults-only infinity pool, saltwater pool, hot tub | Infinity pool: ages 16 and up | 7 AM–10 PM; cabanas and daybeds 11 AM–7 PM |
| The Ritz-Carlton Residences | Two 8th-floor infinity pools: heated Resort Pool (Diamond Head Tower) and Adult Pool with two hot tubs (ʻEwa Tower) | Adult Pool: 18+; Resort Pool: all ages | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Halekulani | Heated oceanfront pool with a 1.2-million-tile orchid mosaic | None published in the hotel FAQ | Not published in the hotel FAQ |
| Aulani (Ko Olina) | 7-acre Waikolohe Valley: lazy river, two volcanic waterslides, Rainbow Reef snorkel lagoon, infinity pool | Check with the resort for slide rules | Check with the resort |
Two patterns stand out. First, slides keep office hours: at Hilton Hawaiian Village each slide runs for a three-hour window, and the Paradise Pool itself closes at 6 PM while the Super Pool stays open until 9 PM. Second, “adults only” does not mean the same age everywhere. Sheraton’s Edge and Prince Waikiki let in 16- and 17-year-olds, while Hilton’s Kalia pool and the Ritz-Carlton Residences’ Adult Pool hold the line at 18. Hilton also states that its pools are for registered guests only and that a room key is required, so a friend staying elsewhere cannot join your kids on the slide.
Which Pool Fits Which Kid: A Quick Age Guide
The right pool hotel depends less on the photos than on the birthdays in your group. Use the published age rules above to sort the options:
- Babies and toddlers: Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Keiki Pool sits beside the Super Pool and is built with shallow water for small children; swim diapers are mandatory in every Hilton pool, and floats larger than 34 inches are banned. At ʻAlohilani, the policy page names children 5–12 (with an adult) for the infinity pool and hot tub, so ask pool services before planning on it with an under-5.
- Ages 5 to 12: This is the waterslide sweet spot. Hilton requires an adult to supervise anyone 12 and under, which matters if you planned to read on a lounger while the kids ride the lava tube. Helumoa at the Sheraton is the central-Waikiki alternative, and Aulani’s lazy river and volcanic slides justify the trip to Ko Olina if you have a car; see our Aulani review.
- Ages 13 to 15: The awkward age. They are too old for splash pads but too young for the Edge or Prince Waikiki’s infinity pool. The Ritz-Carlton Residences’ Resort Pool and the slides at Hilton and Helumoa remain open to them.
- Ages 16 and 17: The Edge at the Sheraton and the Prince Waikiki infinity pool open up. Hilton’s Kalia pool and the Ritz-Carlton Residences’ Adult Pool stay off-limits until 18.
- Adults travelling without kids: Choose between the 18+ pools (Kalia, the Ritz-Carlton Residences’ Adult Pool), the 16+ pools (Edge, Prince Waikiki) or the Halekulani’s orchid pool, which has no slide and no splash zone nearby.
Families of five or more should check room occupancy before falling for a pool: our family of 5 or 6 guide lists the units that legally sleep a bigger group, and the connecting rooms guide explains how to keep two rooms side by side.
Mandatory Fees at the Pool Resorts: What 5 Nights Cost Before the Room Rate
None of these hotels sells pool access on its own. It comes bundled with the room and, at five of the eight, with a daily resort fee that is taxed at Oahu’s 18.712% rate like the room itself. The table shows the mandatory fee only, before any room rate, plus each hotel’s posted overnight parking price as of November 2026.
| Resort | Daily resort fee | With 18.712% tax | 5 nights of fees | Overnight parking (plus tax) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheraton Waikiki | $52 | $61.73 | $308.65 | Self $55 / valet $65 |
| Hilton Hawaiian Village | $55 | $65.29 | $326.46 | Self $69 / valet $89 |
| The Royal Hawaiian | $52 | $61.73 | $308.65 | Self $55 / valet $65 |
| ʻAlohilani Resort | $54 | $64.10 | $320.52 | Self $55 / valet $65 (first night upgraded to valet when you pay for self-parking) |
| Prince Waikiki | $45 | $53.42 | $267.10 | Self $45 / valet $50 |
| The Ritz-Carlton Residences | $0 | $0 | $0 | Valet only, $60 |
| Halekulani | $0 | $0 | $0 | $68 overnight |
| Aulani (Ko Olina) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $40 self or valet |
Prince Waikiki has the lowest fee among the resorts that charge one, while the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Halekulani and Aulani charge none at all. ʻAlohilani’s $54 fee is the only one here that includes beach-rental credits (three per room per night at Beach Candy), which matters if your family splits the day between the infinity deck and the sand. For every Waikiki hotel’s fee, see our resort fees list; the tax itself is broken down in Oahu hotel tax explained.
Plan Slide Time Around Hilton's Posted Schedule
At Hilton Hawaiian Village the Outdoor Slide runs from 11 AM to 2 PM and the Lava Tube Slide from 2 to 5 PM, so a family that sleeps in and arrives at 3 PM has already missed one of them. Go to the Paradise Pool late morning, eat lunch, then switch slides after 2 PM. Carry a room key (it is required at every pool), pick up towels with your towel card, and leave inflatables bigger than 34 inches in the room. Chairs cannot be reserved, and unattended items may be removed.
Pool Resorts Ranked: Who Should Book Each One
Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort
- Famous Edge oceanfront infinity pool
- Helumoa Playground family waterslide
- Newly renovated rooms
- Central Kalakaua Ave location
The Sheraton is the only Waikiki hotel where one booking covers both a teen-and-adult infinity pool and a family waterslide. The Edge of Waikiki pool admits guests 16 and up, while the Helumoa Playground next to it has the 70-foot slide. The $52 resort fee comes to $61.73 a night with tax, and self-parking is $55. Book it when your kids span a wide age range, so parents and older teens can split between the two pools. Room advice is in our Sheraton Waikiki review.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
- True beachfront on widest sand
- 5 pools + waterslides + lagoon
- 5 distinct hotel towers
- Friday night fireworks show
Four pools stay open while the Aliʻi Tower is closed until spring 2027: the Super Pool with its Keiki Pool, the Paradise Pool with the slides, the Tapa Pool and the 18+ Kalia pool. All are guests-only with a room key, and the saltwater lagoon gives small children a wave-free alternative. Book it for younger kids who want slides and calm water on one property; choose a tower close to the pools with our towers ranking.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
- Iconic 1927 'Pink Palace of the Pacific'
- Shared Helumoa Playground pool access
- Historic Wing vs modern Mailani Tower
- Beachfront Mai Tai Bar
The Pink Palace’s own Malulani pool is the quiet option, and when the kids want the slide, Royal Hawaiian guests walk over to the Helumoa Playground after checking in at the Malulani pool or concierge desk. Pool chairs are free and first come, first served. Note the hotel caps every room at four guests, children included. Book it if you want historic surroundings without giving up waterslide access.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
- 280,000-gallon lobby Oceanarium
- Swell rooftop saltwater infinity pool
- Two Chef Morimoto restaurants
- Longboard Club VIP lounge option
The 5th-floor Swell deck holds a saltwater infinity pool looking toward Kuhio Beach. The resort’s policy page opens the infinity pool and hot tub to adults and to children 5–12 with an adult, and there is no lifeguard. The $54 fee includes three Beach Candy rental credits per room per night. Book it for couples or for families with school-age kids who also want to spend time on the beach across the street.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Prince Waikiki
- 100% of rooms have floor-to-ceiling ocean views
- 5th-floor adults-only infinity pool over the Yacht Harbor
- 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar and Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo
- 8–15 minute walk to Ala Moana Center
Prince Waikiki’s infinity pool is for ages 16 and up and is open from 7 AM to 10 PM, with a saltwater pool and a hot tub alongside and cabanas or daybeds for rent from 11 AM to 7 PM. There is no beach at the door, but self-parking is $45 and the $45 fee is the lowest among the fee-charging resorts here. Book it if the pool matters more to you than walking straight onto the sand; details in our Prince Waikiki review.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Waikiki hotels have waterslides?
Only two resort complexes in Waikiki have them: Hilton Hawaiian Village, with a waterslide at the Paradise Pool plus a lava tube slide, and the Sheraton Waikiki’s Helumoa Playground, whose 70-foot slide is shared with The Royal Hawaiian. For a lazy river and a full water park you need Aulani in Ko Olina on the island’s west coast; our family hotel ranking compares the options by kids’ age.
Can non-guests use the pools at Hilton Hawaiian Village?
No, the resort’s posted pool rules say only registered hotel guests may use the pools and that a room key is required. Outside food and drink, coolers and glass are also not allowed on the pool decks.
Can Royal Hawaiian guests use the Sheraton waterslide?
Yes, Royal Hawaiian guests have access to two pools: their own Malulani pool and the Helumoa Playground at the neighboring Sheraton Waikiki. The hotel asks you to check in at the Malulani pool or the concierge desk before using Helumoa.
How old do you have to be for the Sheraton Waikiki infinity pool?
You must be 16 or older to use the Edge of Waikiki infinity pool, the same age limit as Prince Waikiki’s infinity pool. Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Kalia pool and the Ritz-Carlton Residences’ Adult Pool are stricter at 18 and over.
What time are the waterslides open at Hilton Hawaiian Village?
The resort lists the Outdoor Slide from 11 AM to 2 PM and the Lava Tube Slide from 2 to 5 PM, inside Paradise Pool hours of 9 AM to 6 PM. Schedules can change, so confirm at the towel stand on arrival day.
Can young children swim in the ʻAlohilani infinity pool?
Children aged 5 to 12 can, as long as an adult is with them, according to the resort’s policy page, which also notes there is no lifeguard on duty. Families with toddlers should ask pool services about the rules before booking for the pool.
